' Proud father of KP Holland ' is on his LinkedIn profile . Aad van der Knaap is a familiar face in the ornamental sector . Although he has hand over the daily management of the family line , Aad stay closely involved in the development of new markets and product innovation . As a New Product Developer at KP Holland , he has recently been focusing on Vietnam , a country where he sees plenty of opportunity for the horticultural sector .
Political and societal supportAccording to Aad , the want of political and societal support is the big threat to our industry . " We have a great fib , but we do need to tell it . In the areas of energy , biology , and piss , we are pee-pee serious stride . unluckily , negative news is often magnified , while positive developments persist underexposed . "
" I think it ’s important to put the sector in a better light . If we do that well , we give the younker perspective and hold our ' license to get ' . Klaas Knot ’s sojourn to our company is a great example of that : He came as a critic and pass on as an ambassador . "
Putting things into perspectiveLabor , sales , and get-up-and-go have always been challenge in gardening . " That was already the sheath fifty class ago , " laughs Aad . " But in today ’s man , job are magnified . Young hoi polloi are flood with disconfirming content on societal medium . War , mood problem , and it sometimes seems as if we ’re function into a ravine like lemmings . We require to teach to put matter into perspective without downplaying trouble . "
" At the same time , tremendous progress has already been made worldwide . In the yesteryear , oil burning at the stake in Westland caused heavy air pollution . The laundry outside was disastrous as soon as the kettle was turned on , and there was a landfill behind every greenhouse . Now we have come so much further . And globally , the level of prosperity has increased hugely . It is not absolutely circularise , but broadly address , the world is undecomposed off than decades ago . "
Vietnam"To make the bridge to Vietnam , " Aad continues , " when I was in Hanoi a few weeks ago , I noticed how active and driven the hoi polloi are . No one is sitting still , everyone is working intemperately , and the solid food is new and good for you . The focus is still really on the canonic needs , and the people areeager . It reminded me of the Netherlands in the 1950s . The eagerness to make something of it seems to have fleet a bit . "
To be successful in a raw market like Vietnam , unassailable partners are very of import grant to Aad . " You need party uncoerced to do extension and pay royalties . " KP Holland had Vietnam on the radar for several geezerhood , but travel came to a stoppage due to the pandemic . They are now solve with Dalat Hasfarm , a mega - society of 350 hectares with Dutch direction . The Spathiphyllum and Curcuma , which Aad ’s sire once brought from Thailand , are now growing there .
Since 2023 , he has been accept the Vietnamese marketplace seriously . He schedule a video call with Dalat Hasfarm every month , where they show the glasshouse . " Then I can give advice , and in half a twelvemonth I really saw improvement . That ’s why I decided to go to Hortex , where I even gave a seminar together with our Vietnamese voice . That trade fair confirmed my assessment : Vietnam really has potential . "
With a youthful population and a growing love for flowers and plants , Aad get word Vietnam as a promising growth market for gardening . " And I am well-chosen that in this room I can still be involve in new projects within our KP Holland . "
75 years of KP Holland"Our company passed on to the next generation , my sidekick and I allow go of the daily management 4 yr ago , " says Aad . " This year we can celebrate 75 years of KP Holland , how wonderful is that ? " The arcanum ? " The most authoritative thing in your company is the people . Surround yourself with smart mass , sooner smarter than yourself . Some ascertain that exciting , but as an entrepreneur , you should n’t want to do everything yourself just because you are ultimately responsible . "
According to him , entrepreneurship is more than just work ; it is a ' elbow room of living ' . " Think cautiously before you step into a company . The balance between entrepreneurship and management is of the essence . At KP Holland , we imagine we have now found that balance . KP Holland now has 175 employee . "
Aad strongly believes in effect - oriented leadership . " We do n’t say : ' You have to do it this way ' , but rather : ' This is where we need to go , what do you need to accomplish that ? ' That creates involvement and responsibility among employees . leading is about make space for increment , not squall from the back butt . "
Attention = qualityOnce Aad learned in a course : ' care = quality ' . " You have a meter of attention that you have to distribute . If you require to do everything yourself , it becomes millimeter work . That ’s why you need to gather people around you who are voguish than you . Some entrepreneur want to be the best at everything , but step aside in prison term is crucial . "
For more information : Aad van der KnaapKP Holland[email protected]www.kpholland.nl
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